1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 1

1 Exam Prep

Concrete Masonry Handbook

Questions and Answers

1. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, a masonry unit is considered as normal weight if it has a

density or unit weight of more than pounds per cubic foot.

A. 105

B. 110

C. 115

D. 125

2. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook a three core masonry unit with nominal dimensions of

12" x 8" x16" with an aggregate weight of 110 pounds per cubic foot will weigh pounds.

A. 30

B. 33

C. 43

D. 48

3. When a batch mixer is used on the job site, all materials should be mixed thoroughly for a minimum

of minutes.

A. 3

B. 10

C. 15

D. 30

4. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook grout not placed within hours after water is first

added to the batch should be discarded.

A. 1

B. 1-1/2

C. 2

D. 2-1/2

5. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook the allowable height of a non-load-bearing concrete masonry

single-wythe wall using 12 inch normal weight masonry units is feet. Assume a wind pressure of

20 pounds per square foot on the wall.

A. 12

B. 14

C. 15

D. 16

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 2

6. A wall consists of two walls separated by a continuous air space 2" or more wide and tied

together by rigid metal ties embedded in the mortar joints of both walls.

A. solid masonry

B. single-wythe

C. cavity

D. hollow masonry

7. Weep holes are usually located in the head joints of the outer wythe and spaced about feet apart

or preferably installed at multiples of the length of the concrete masonry units.

A. 2

B. 4

C. 6

D. 8

8. Which of the following is true regarding physical changes in the properties of mortar as the temperature

of mortar increases?

A. a given amount of air-entraining agent will yield more entrained air

B. absorption of moisture from the mortar will be slower

C. workability is lessened therefore less water is required

D. initial and final set will occur earlier

9. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook the average weight of a wall 15-0" long 8’-0" high laid

with 8" x 8" x 16" masonry units made from light-weight aggregate is pounds.

A. 3,950

B. 4,740

C. 5,550

D 6,660

10. The number of blocks required to lay a swimming pool privacy wall 20'-0" long by 8'.-0" high using

8" x 8" x 16" nominal size masonry units is .

A. 120

B. 140

C. 160

D. 180

11. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, it will require cubic feet of mortar to construct a

wall 40'-0" long by 6'-8" high using nominal size masonry units of 12" x 8” x 16".

A. 16

B. 18

C. 20

D. 23

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 3

12. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, an 8" thick wall, 22’-0" long x 8’-0" high with all block

cores grouted with require cubic yards of grout.

A. 1.39

B. 2.01

C. 2.22

D. 3.50

13. One and three fourth cubic yards of grout will grout a wall area of square feet. Assume wall

thickness at 8" with the cores grouted at 16" on center.

A. 130

B. 139

C. 219

D. 237

14. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the maximum unsupported height of an 8" thick

nonreinforced, ungrouted concrete masonry wall during construction with a peak wind velocity of 40 mph

and weighing 54 pounds per square foot of wall area is:

A. 7’- 4"

B. 8' - 6"

C. 9' - 4"

D. 10' - 8"

15. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook the required total plaster thickness for a 3-coat application

with a plaster base of metal reinforcement over a solid base for an exterior vertical surface is .

Assume a 3-coat job.

A. 1/8"

B. 1/4"

C. 1/2"

D. 7/8"

16. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, a retaining wall which depends upon its own mass for

stability is referred to as a wall.

A. stability

B. gravity

C. cantilever

D. counterfort

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 4

17. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, a retaining wall that is similar to cantilever walls except

that they span horizontally between vertical supports is referred to as a wall.

A. gravity

B. cantilever

C. buttressed

D. stability

18. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook the safe bearing pressure of fine sand is pounds

per square foot.

A. 2,000

B. 4,000

C. 6,000

D. 9,000

19. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook colored mortars should be of and contain no

dispersants that will slow the cement hydration.

A. mineral oxide composition

B. lead

C. white masonry cement

D. calcium hydroxide composition

20. When measuring mortar ingredients a increase in volume of dry, rodded medium sand can

be expected by adding 5% moisture by weight.

A. 12%

B. 17%

C. 29%

D. 37%

21. When estimating mortar quantities 1 cf of mortar is made from cementations material

and of sand.

A. .99cf / .33cf

B. .75cf / .25cf

C. .33cf / .99cf

D. .25cf / .75cf

22. An advantage of ungrouted interlocking paving units is .

A. percolation of water between and under paving units is avoided

B. paving units are more securely held in place deterring vandalism and theft.

C. if there is settlement or frost heave paving units can be adjusted individually

D. ungrouted construction is more expensive and the paving units cannot be replaced easily

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 5

23. When tuckpointing mortar joints the joints should be cut out at least in depth.

A. 1/4"

B. 1/2"

C. 3/4"

D 1"

24. The weight class of a concrete masonry unit is based upon the it contains.

A. oven-dry weight per cubic foot of concrete

B. cement

C. course aggregate

D. fine aggregate

25. are formed by omitting mortar from the joints. The cavity is then filled with pea gravel

to keep mortar droppings from accidentally filling the holes.

A. expansion joints

B. weep holes

C. embedded ties

D. isolation joints

26. To offset the effect of the "hot weather' the foreman directs the crew to place a sprinkler hose on

top of a newly erected wall and cover it with plastic. This process is known as .

A. irrigating

B. tempering

C. hydration

D. damp curing

27. How much does a 100 sf masonry wall constructed of nominal 8" x 8” x 16" concrete masonry units

made with lightweight aggregate and 3/8" mortar joints weight?

A. 3,350 lbs.

B. 3,950 lbs.

C. 4,600 lbs.

D. 5,550 lbs.

28. When erecting a masonry wall the corner blocks should be laid first and carefully positioned. A

is then used as a straightedge to assure the correct alignment of the block.

A. chalk line

B. trowel

C. mason's level

D. T-square

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 6

29. When grouting of paver units is required the grout should be so proportioned with a Portland cement to

sand ratio of and just enough water to make the grout workable.

A. 1 to 3

B. 3 to 1

C. 1 to 2

D 2 to 1

30. is the act of cutoff or defective mortar joints with new mortar.

A. Patching

B. Spalling

C. Jointing

D. Tuckpointing

31. Masonry walls shall not exceed in height before grout is poured or pumped into the

cores when utilizing the low-lift grouting method of construction.

A. 3’

B. 4’

C. 5’

D. 6’

32. According to the Concrete Masonry Handbook, a hollow load-bearing concrete masonry unit shall be

equal in quantity to:

A ASTM C94

B ASTM C129

C. ASTM C144

D. ASTM C90

33. According Concrete Masonry Handbook, the weight of block, hollow 2 core, 7-5/8 x 15-5/8 constructed

of sand and crushed stone with a 1-1/4- face shell and 1 inch web thickness is between and

pounds.

A, 26-32

B. 33-39

C. 10-45

D. 46-57

34. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, a nominal 8” x16” concrete masonry unit has actual

dimensions of .

A.7-3/4”- x 7-3/4”- x 15-3/4”

B. 7-1/2”- x 7-1/2”- x 12-1/2”

C. 7-5/8”- x 7-5/8”- x 15-1/2”

D. 7-5/8”- x 7-5/8”- x 15-5/8”

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 7

35. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, mortar was mixed but not used immediately. To restore

workability it is recommended:

A. Adding cement and thoroughly remixing

B. Just thoroughly remix the mortar

C. Adding water and thoroughly remixing

D. No remixing and the mortar must be used within 2-1/2 hours

36. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the maximum moisture content specified in concrete

masonry units is for what reason?

A. Concrete shrink slightly due to loss of moisture when air dried

B. So the mortar can grip the surface

C. The strength of mortar is adversely affected when moisture content is too high

D. Extreme moisture cause effervescence

37. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the mortar requirement for a single-width wall 8 inches

thick composed of nominal size, 8” x 8” x16” concrete masonry units is cubic feet per 100 units.

A. 6.0

B. 7.5

C. 8.5

D. 13.5

38. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, in estimating “U” values in thermal insulation, it is noted

that the flow of heat is directly proportional to the temperature difference and adversely proportional to

the ?

A. Heat resistant

B surface conductance

C. Wall thickness

D. Air space value

39. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the estimated heat flow through a 20’-0” (length) x 6'-0”

(height). 8" hollow concrete masonry wall with blocks constructed of 80 PCF density concrete with loose-

till insulation in the cores and 1/2 - foil-backed gypsum board on furri:

A. Between 230 and 250

B. Between 251 and 270

C. Between 271 and 290

D. Between 291 and 310

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 8

40. Given: A wall is to be constructed of the following materials with given heat resistance value “R”:

Surface film (outside) 0.17

Stucco with light aggregate 0.31

8" concrete masonry units (cores open) 2.12

2” batt insulation between furring strips 7.00

5'8" plaster, lightweight aggregate 0.39

Surface film (inside) 0.68

According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the overall heat transmission coefficient (U) of the wall

is . Select the closest answer.

A. 0.09

B. 1.07

C. 1.09

D. 10.07

41. According to the Concrete Masonry Handbook. the estimated “U” value for an 8” hollow concrete

masonry wall, with blocks constructed of 100 PCF density concrete with loose fill insulation in the cores,

and with ½” gypsum hoard on furring strips is ?

A. 0.10

B. 0.11

C. 0.12

D. 0.14

42. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, to prevent condensation or sweating of a wall when the

inside room temperature is 75 degrees F and the relative humidity of the inside air is 30%, the wall should

be insulated so that the inside wall surface temperature (Dew Point) is:

A. 37

B. 42

C. 46

D. 51

43. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, to minimize condensation or sweating of a wall and yet

provide for comfort, it is recommended that when the temperature outdoors is 30 degrees F the relative

humidity indoors should be % maximum.

A. 40

B. 35

C. 30

D. 25

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 9

44. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, of the walls listed below, which has the best sound

insulating qualities?

A. 10: cavity wall (4” brick. 4” lightweight hollow concrete masonry units), wall unpainted.

B. 8” hollow lightweight aggregate units, fully grouted. No. 5 vertical bars at approx 40” o.c. Walls

painted on both sides with 2 coats latex paint.

C. 8” dense-aggregate hollow units, walls unpainted

D. 8” composite (4” brick, 4" lightweight hollow concrete unites). Walls covered with 1/2” gypsum

board on resilient channels

45. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the distance between adjacent full length masonry headers

shall not exceed inches measured vertically or horizontally.

A. 27

B. 18

C. 24

D. None of these

46. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, which of the following can be used to bond interior

masonry bearing wall?

A, Horizontal reinforcing wire

B. Header bond every 6th course

C. Metal tie bar

D. Rebar

47. Given an 8” concrete block wall is to be constructed with one window opening of 8’-0” high and 6’-0”

wide, according to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the minimum recommended length of a precast lintel to

span the window opening is .

A. 8'4''

B. 8' 8”

C. 9' 0”

D. 9’4”

48. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the function of a pilaster in a wall is .

A. To prevent water drainage through the wall

B. To make the wall more attractive

C. To provide vertical support for the all

D. To provide lateral support for the wall

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 10

49. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, if using 1 to 3 ratio masonry content to sand,

approximately how many c.f. of sand are required to make a cubic yard of mortar mix?

A. 18

B. 17.33

C. 20.25

D. 27

50. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, for a tight wall which of the following tooled mortar joints

is best?

A. Flush

B. Healed

C. Extruded

D. Vee

51. The Concrete Masonry Handbook recommends that:

A. Flush mortar joints

B. Concave or v shaped mortar joints

C. Extruded mortar joints

D. Convex or s shaped mortar joints

52. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the maximum unsupported height that a non-reinforced,

ungrouted 4 inch concrete masonry wall may be laid and withstand a 40 MPH peak wind velocity during

construction is . A 4 inch thick concrete masonry wall weighs 31 pounds.

A 5' 0"

B. 4' 6”

C. 3' 4"

D. 2' 0”

53. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the maximum unsupported height that a non-reinforced,

ungrouted 6 inch concrete masonry wall may he laid and withstand a 60 MPH peak wind velocity during

construction is . A 6 inch thick concrete masonry wall weighs 44 pounds.

A. 5' 0”

B. 4' 6”

C. 3' 4”

D. 2’ 0"

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 11

54. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the minimum thickness of hand or machine applied 3 coat

plaster on an interior horizontal surface with metal reinforcement over a solid base is inch.

A. ½”

B. 5' 8”

C. ¾”

D. 7/8”

55. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the safe soil bearing pressure of compacted and cemented

sand is pounds per square foot.

A. 5,000

B. 8,000

C. 9,000

D. 10,000

56. According to Concrete Masonry Handbook, the safe soil healing pressure of hard clay and compressed

sand is pounds per square foot.

A. 8,000

B. 4,000

C. 6,500

D. 2,000

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 12

1 Exam Prep

Concrete Masonry Handbook

Answers

5th Edition 6th Edition

1. D 7 7

2. D 7, Fig. 1-7

3. A 48 39

4. B 48 48

5. D 57, Fig. 3-10

6. C 80 265

7. A 119, 120

8. D 121, 122

9. B 131, Table 6-1

Solution: 15’ x 8’ x 3,950 ÷ 100 = 4,740

10. D 131, Table 6-1

Solution: 20’ x 8’ x 112.5 ÷ 100 = 180

11. D 131, Table 6-1

Solution: 40’ x 6.67 x 8.5 ÷ 100 = 22.68

12. C 133, Fig. 6-5

Solution: 22’ x 8’ x 1.26 ÷ 100 = 2.22

13. D 133, Fig. 6-5

Solution: 1.75 x 135 = 236.25

14. A 155, Fig. 6-9

15. D 168, Table 7-4 176, Table 7-4

Solution: ½” + ¼” + 1/8” = 7/8”

16. B 186 197

17. C 186, 187

18. D 189, Table 8-3 200, Table 8-3

19. A 35

20. C 37, Fig. 2-10 38, Fig. 2-12

21. C 45

22. C 198, 199

23. B 212

24. A 7

25. B 120

26. D 122

1 Exam Prep – Concrete Masonry Handbook – 5th and 6th Ed. 13

5th Edition 6th Edition

27. B 131, Table 6-1

28. C 137

29. A 197

30. D 211

31. C 148

32. D 4, Table 1-3 5, Table 1-2

33. B 7, Fig. 1-7

34. D 8, Fig. 1-9 10, Fig. 1-8

35. C 40

36. B 31

37. C 45, Table 2-6

38. A 60

39. A 63

Solution: 0.12 (U) x 6’ x 20’ (area) x 20 degrees = 288 BTUH

40. A 62

Solution: 17 + .31 + 2.12 + 7 + .39 + .68 = 10.67 (R) 1/10.57 = 0.09 (U)

41. D 63, Table 3-11 68, Table 3-10

42. B 65, Table 3-12 71, Table 3-11

43. A 66

44. B 69, Table 3-15 74, Table 3-16

45. C 80

46. C 112, Fig. 4-46 117, Fig. 4-44 ?

47. D 114

Solution: 8 ft. + 8 in. + 8 in. = 9’4”

48. D 114

49. D 132, Table 6-3

Solution: 0.99cf x 27 = 26.73 cy

50. D 152

51. B 152

52. D 155, Fig. 6-69

53. D 155, Fig. 6-69

54. D 168, Table 7-4 176, Table 7-4

Solution: ½” + ¼” + 1/8” = 7/8”

55. D 189, Table 8-3 200, Table 8-3

56. D 189, Table 8-3 200, Table 8-3